Conversion Disorder

Conversion disorder is a broad term for when mental or emotional distress causes physical symptoms without the existence of an actual physical condition.

When you have conversion disorder, you’re not able to control your physical response. This response usually involves either your senses or your motor control. In other words, you experience a traumatic or stressful event, and your body responds with tremors, paralysis of an arm or leg, or something similar. There isn’t an underlying physical condition, like an injury, causing the tremors or paralysis. Instead, the physical condition is caused by the stress or emotional trauma.

Conversion disorder is normally caused by some sort of extreme stress, emotional trauma, or depression. It’s your body’s response to something you perceive as a threat.

The physical symptoms may come about as a way to try and resolve or relieve whatever is causing the extreme mental stress. For example, a police officer or soldier who experiences mental trauma from the thought of shooting and possibly killing someone may have paralysis in their hands. The physical symptoms create a way to avoid whatever is causing the stress.

The diagnosis of conversion disorder comes from meeting certain criteria given by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Some of these criteria include:

symptoms of movement in your body or sensory symptoms that can’t be controlled

symptoms that happen after or in relation to a stressful event or emotional trauma

symptoms that can’t be explained medically or physically

symptoms that negatively affect your daily life

There aren’t specific tests that diagnose conversion disorder. The tests that are performed are primarily to rule out any medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms. The types of tests your doctor may perform during diagnosis depend on the type of symptoms you’re having. Some tests may include:

CT scan, X-rays, or other imaging to rule out possible injuries and neurological conditions

electroencephalogram for seizure symptoms to rule out neurological causes

routine tests such as checking your blood pressure and reflexes

Conversion disorder can have similar symptoms to a number of other medical conditions. Therefore, it’s important for your doctor to rule out other possible causes before coming to a diagnosis of conversion disorder.

The primary method of preventing conversion disorder is to find ways to relieve stress and to avoid emotional trauma when possible. Some preventive measures may include:

getting treatment for any mental or emotional disorder you may have, including depression

maintaining a good work and life balance

creating and maintaining positive relationships

having a secure and calm family atmosphere

You may be unable to control some of these areas. However, if you work toward controlling the areas you can, you may be able to better manage those you can’t. Any reduction in stress and emotional trauma can be effective in helping to prevent conversion disorder.

The symptoms of conversion disorder don’t typically last for more than a few weeks. They may even stop after a day or two. However, it’s important to get treatment as soon as symptoms develop.

You’ll want your doctor to make sure you don’t have a medical condition that is causing the symptoms. If you do have conversion disorder, the earlier you start treatment the better your outcome. With proper treatment, your symptoms will eventually stop occurring or may not reoccur at all.